Norwich University Trustee to receive Science and Technology Award

Norwich University Trustee Diran Apelian, a Howmet Professor of Engineering and Director of the Metal Processing Institute at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has been chosen to receive The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society's (TMS) 2006 Bruce Chalmers Award. This award of distinction is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the science and technology of solidification science. Apelian is being honored for his primary work in molten metal processing, diffusion solidification, spray casting, and solidification processing of light metals.

Prof. Apelian received his B.S. degree in metallurgical engineering from Drexel University in 1968 and his Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1972. He joined WPI in 1990 as the Institute's Provost, and led the mission of broadening WPI's academic programs and research agenda. In 1996, Apelian was appointed to head the Metals Processing Institute (MPI) at WPI. MPI is an industry-university alliance dedicated to near-net-shape manufacturing with centers in metal casting; powder metallurgy; and heat treating. He has over 400 publications to his credit and four books, which he has co-edited.

When asked to explain what this award means to him, Dr. Apelian responded: "Prof. Bruce Chalmers' contributions to the field of solidification and metal casting are enormous and significant. Not only was he an inspiring researcher but also a caring teacher; he certainly was a pioneer and a great educator. I am truly humbled and feel most honored to receive this Chalmers Award."